MetaChat - AskMeCha: I'm quitting my job. I've never quit a job before. Help me.

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14 November 2005

AskMeCha: I'm quitting my job. I've never quit a job before. Help me. →[More:]I'm giving two weeks notice to work full-time for a company I worked for part-time in college. The money and benefits are a *lot* better, and even if they weren't, it's time to go. But what do I say??? What do I write?? I've never done something like this before. Success and horror stories are appreciated.

post by: ThePinkSuperhero at: 19:02 | 26 comments

You say, "I got a better job. See-ya! Suck it, haters." Um, really I don't know. But congrats.

posted by dame 14 November | 19:04

Thanks! I'm pretty damn excited.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 19:06

I resign might be of some help.

posted by urbanwhaleshark 14 November | 19:10

Wow, that site is awesome, urbanwhaleshark. Just the sort of thing I need to boost my confidence. Thanks.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 19:17

Walk out gracefully, while stressing other commitments. That way, if you ever need to use that former employer as a reference (hey, you never know), you won't be remembered as "______, the one who..."

posted by Smart Dalek 14 November | 19:18

"Thank-you for the opportunity to work with (firm). It has been wonderful working here but I have accepted a position more inline with my long-term career plans.”

posted by arse_hat 14 November | 19:27

The two things that made my recent resignation easier:

1. If possible, give your notice on a Friday. Everyone is happier on Fridays; it somehow makes it less awkward.

2. Have a little speech ready, not only for your boss, but for your coworkers. Everyone is going to ask you why you're going and what you'll be doing. It'll be helpful if you already know what you'll say (obviously, nothing negative about your current job, but positive things about wanting to make a change, etc.– throw cliches around like candy.)

posted by Uncle Glendinning 14 November | 19:51

The last time I wrote out a resignation it was similar to what arse_hat wrote out above: I thanked my employer for the opportunity they had given to me and noted that it was time for me to move on as I had grown out of the current position. I made sure to take the time to say the same things in person when I turned in my notice.

Congrats on the new job and good luck!

posted by LeeJay 14 November | 19:51

The 1st one is a good idea, uncle glendinning, but I'm giving my notice tomorrow ::gulp::

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 19:52

Don't worry too much about resigning at the beginning of the week. As long as you are leaving on good terms and being professional about it you shouldn't have any problems.

posted by LeeJay 14 November | 20:16

Don't worry too much about resigning at the beginning of the week.

Oh definitely, you'll be fine no matter what day you give your notice. Resigning on a Friday made it easier for me (and I was able to go home and drink a bottle of champagne and not have to drag myself in to work the next day), but it's certainly fine giving your notice earlier in the week. Knock 'em dead.

posted by Uncle Glendinning 14 November | 20:24

Yea, I'm just a little nervous because the boss has a tendency to fly off the handle (one reason I'm out!). Plus, with Thanksgiving coming up in two weeks, I'm not exactly sure if they're gonna want me to come back for two days after (oh goodness, I hope not).

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 20:26

In my world when you let your employer know you're leaving they escort you to the door,in as nice a way as possible, unless you are retiring. I don't know that this will be your situation but be prepared.

posted by Carbolic 14 November | 20:29

Give enough notice, and say you'll help train a replacement (if you can)--that always makes it nicer.

posted by amberglow 14 November | 20:50

Carbolic, what world is that/ Most employers require a 2-week waiting period for a reason. Not that I don't believe you, I'm just wondering what profession you're in.

posted by delmoi 14 November | 20:57

If MeCha Carbolic is Meta Carbolic, a quick glance at AskMeta answers reveals he (or she) has worked at the same company for 27 years.

MetaStalking

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 21:26

Ok, here's a question- I'm not interested in a counteroffer. Do I tell them the $ details of my new offer? I suppose it's none of their business, right?

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 14 November | 21:55

nope. Just say that it's a wonderful opportunity that you don't want to pass up. Even if they counteroffer, you can say "thank you, but i'm decided, although it's great of you to do that. i've really enjoyed my time here and am very appreciative" (or something along those lines).

posted by amberglow 14 November | 22:11

Carbolic may be referring to some jobs in the tech industry, but I've seen that more when someone is being fired or laid off, that the sysadmins turn off your computer access instantly so you can't fuck with their computer system or steal anything.

posted by matildaben 14 November | 22:29

Some accounting firms also ask you to leave immediately if you resign. If you know that, you can scam an extra couple of weeks pay by giving two weeks notice on the day you want to leave, then they have to pay you two weeks in lieu of notice.

I have also turned off someone's IT access before they were sacked (actually, while they were in the boss's office getting done over). He came back to his desk to get his stuff and must have tried to get in some quick deletion of files (perhaps the massive cache of gay pr0n and e-mails arranging trysts with guys he met in chat rooms when he told the boss he had appointments with agents in South America - just a guess). He gave me the dirtiest look I have ever received. I laughed. I am a bad person, but I felt sorry for his pregnant wife and wondered what he was going to tell her.

posted by dg 14 November | 23:06

Congrats. It's easy, just don't make a big thing of it.

Your employer should understand, and if they don't, that's their problem not yours.

posted by mosch 15 November | 00:11

Oh, and your boss will know what you plan to do the second you say "hello" to them, unless they are completely clueless. Your boss will just be politely awaiting your resignation, pretending there is some other possible reason for your "I'm about to quit" face.

posted by mosch 15 November | 00:13

You have two ways you can go here:

1. Classy and professional: "thanks for the opportunities, I have received, but it is time to move on, yadda yadda yadda."

2. Satisfying and Unprofessional: "Hey fuckface! (Shouted across the office.) HEY FUCKFACE! Yeah, you, you diminutive little COCKSUCKER! I'm outta here! Have I told you to bite me lately?" And so on.

Being a good person, you will surely choose #1.

posted by LarryC 15 November | 01:03

Like what others have said, thank them for the opportunities, but if the boss asks why you are leaving tell him/her honestly diplomatically why you are going. Who can blame you for leaving for the reasons you stated, they will understand.

Congrats!

posted by Chimp 15 November | 02:28

especially if you have a previous connection with the place you're going back to. i think it would be nice to say to this place, "well, the way things go, maybe i'll come back one day--just like i'm going back for the new opportunity now"

posted by amberglow 15 November | 16:39

Thanks for all your help, everybody. I gave my notice to my supervisor at the end of the day, and she was very nice and supportive. She then proceded to tell the big boss, who didn't speak to me for the rest of the day. Maybe tomorrow the yelling will come, but I feel a lot better having the hard part out of the way.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 15 November | 20:23

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